Happy 26th!!!

Yesterday was my 26th birthday. If you have never experienced the emotions that accompany turning 26 let me tell you. You are no longer in your early twenties (20-24) and you are no longer neutral at 25. 26 is now your late twenties! AHHHH. That is only 4 years until 30! Pretty scary! I had a great birthday weekend though. On Friday Beth and Brian (my parents-in-law) took me to Benihana's for my first time. It was great fun and great food! On Saturday I went to Park City with Tari, Mindy and Kacy for some shopping and some dinner at Ruth's diner ( a night to remember). On Sunday I celebrated with my family. On my actual birthday (yesterday) I was at school and work all day, oh well! Thanks for all of your calls and texts it was nice to be remebered.

Colin gave me a great surprise...he shaved his beard to a stache and three handle-bars


Here is my dad and Noey (my neice) at my birthday dinner


Here is Nicky (my nephew) at the birthday dinner

I'm too young to die....

So even though my wife is older than I am, I feel that Mr. Reaper is knocking at my door...and it is quite haunting actually.
The last few nights I have woken up in a cold sweat with images in my mind that I cannot seem to dispel. I have tried to accurately display them here for you and I warn you...they may frighten young ones.







what I find the most odd is that in all these pictures, it looks like someone I know?

Reid's Mission Call

Reid and my cutie husband Coli (short for Colin, or as Tari calls him "Babe")

On Wednesday August 29th the whole Thomas family gathered together to find out where Reid got called to serve. Reid took his call into his room and opened it privately. When he was ready he came out to the family room and announced that he will be serving in the Yekatarinburg Russia Mission, reporting to the MTC December 5th. We are so excited for him and know he will be a great missionary. I know he will love serving in Russia inspite of the cold because the people there are so warm and generous. I've warned him of the Russian baboshkas (grandmas) who aren't afraid to pull on your ear if you are doing something wrong (not that I would know).

Reunion with Velma & Iggy

On August 20 I reunited with Velma & Ignacio Alverez, a family I taught as a missionary in Yuma, AZ. After almost 4 years of not seeing them I got a very surprising phone call from them and they said they had just moved to Idaho and would love to come to Salt Lake City and visit. I was ecstatic! So we planned a weekend for them to come. It was great to see them and their growing family. I got to see Vanessa and Alexa (Iggy's daughters) as well as their three year old Gina and baby Giovanni. Iggy's mom came along for the trip as well and she taught me how to cook real Mexican salsa and carne asada burritos! We went to the Zoo and Temple Square. It was such a great visit and I am so glad they contacted me and came to visit. Their visit reminded me of all the wonderful times I had as a missionary. I am so thankful to know them and have the gospel as our bond. They are a wonderful family, we are planning a trip to Oregon with them to visit the Roloff's farm (we are all big fans).

Here is Vanessa and Alexa at the zoo with their wacky animal hats.


Here is the group of us outside of the zoo.


Here is Velma and Iggy at the zoo.


Here is Gina carrying my purse that is almost bigger than her at Temple Square.


Everyone is enjoying the reflection pond.